New Renault CEO reveals future of Alpine F1 team

The new Renault group CEO, Francois Provost, has confirmed Alpine will remain in F1, putting pay to any uncertainty surrounding the French team.

Since former CEO Luca de Meo resigned in June, there have been suggestions that the car giant could pull the plug on its F1 project and sell Team Enstone, having already surrendered its works status.

Last year, it confirmed it would become a power unit customer for the F1 regulations overhaul in 2026, striking a deal with Mercedes soon after.

It was a highly unusual step, but the French squad felt it best-positioned the team to be competitive in the new rules era, having languished in the midfield since Fernando Alonso helped carry it to titles in the mid-2000s.

The retreat in its operations was the nexus of the speculation that it could opt to walk away from F1 entirely, but Provost, in his first remarks since being announced CEO, confirmed that would not be the case.

According to Autocar, speaking at a press conference about Renault's H1 results for 2025, he expressed his commitment to keeping Alpine in F1.

It provides security and stability for a team that has undergone significant change in recent years. Aside from its rebranding for 2021, there have been numerous high-profile appointees and departures, including multiple team principals.

Last season, Flavio Briatore - who led the team during its two eras of success, as Benetton in the 1990s and then as Renault in the 2000s after the French marque purchased it - returned to the fold.

When Oli Oakes resigned earlier in the current campaign, the flamboyant Italian became de facto team principal.

He will now report to Provost, with Alpine rooted to the foot of the F1 constructors' standings on 20 points from 13 rounds. Haas, in ninth, has scored 35.